DGCA Chief Inaugurates Garuda Aerospace Drone Battery Facility

08 Jan 2026 CW Team

During the visit, Kidwai also inaugurated a new academic block at Garuda Aerospace’s DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The expanded infrastructure is aimed at increasing training capacity and strengthening curriculum delivery to meet rising demand for certified drone pilots across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, defence, disaster management and logistics. He also unveiled the Garuda Bharat Drone Udaan Impact Book, which outlines the company’s journey, milestones and contributions to the development of India’s drone ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director, Garuda Aerospace, said the company has evolved over the past decade into one of India’s largest drone manufacturers, with over 3,000 drones produced and more than 2,500 pilots trained. He highlighted the role of progressive government policies, including subsidy schemes and production-linked incentives, in supporting indigenous manufacturing and wider drone adoption.

Addressing the gathering, Kidwai said Garuda Aerospace is among the few companies manufacturing a wide range of drones for applications spanning defence, agriculture and industry. He noted that the company’s focus on in-country production of critical components reflects a deeper level of indigenisation and that trained drone pilots would play a crucial role as applications expand rapidly.

The launch of the battery manufacturing facility alongside the new academic block represents a step towards building an integrated, self-reliant drone ecosystem encompassing manufacturing, training and deployment to support India’s growing drone economy.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai inaugurated a new drone battery manufacturing facility at Garuda Aerospace’s operations centre in Chennai, marking a key milestone in the company’s efforts to strengthen India’s indigenous drone ecosystem. The inauguration follows the recent launch of Garuda Aerospace’s defence drone facility and was held in association with the Bharat Drone Udaan initiative and the Bharat Drone Association.During the visit, Kidwai also inaugurated a new academic block at Garuda Aerospace’s DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The expanded infrastructure is aimed at increasing training capacity and strengthening curriculum delivery to meet rising demand for certified drone pilots across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, defence, disaster management and logistics. He also unveiled the Garuda Bharat Drone Udaan Impact Book, which outlines the company’s journey, milestones and contributions to the development of India’s drone ecosystem.Speaking at the event, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director, Garuda Aerospace, said the company has evolved over the past decade into one of India’s largest drone manufacturers, with over 3,000 drones produced and more than 2,500 pilots trained. He highlighted the role of progressive government policies, including subsidy schemes and production-linked incentives, in supporting indigenous manufacturing and wider drone adoption.Addressing the gathering, Kidwai said Garuda Aerospace is among the few companies manufacturing a wide range of drones for applications spanning defence, agriculture and industry. He noted that the company’s focus on in-country production of critical components reflects a deeper level of indigenisation and that trained drone pilots would play a crucial role as applications expand rapidly.The launch of the battery manufacturing facility alongside the new academic block represents a step towards building an integrated, self-reliant drone ecosystem encompassing manufacturing, training and deployment to support India’s growing drone economy.

Infrastructure Transport

08 Jan 2026

CMRL to Open 15.8 km Chennai Metro Phase II in February

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has revised its rollout strategy for Phase II of the Chennai Metro, deciding to commission the entire 15.8-km stretch between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani directly in February. The move marks a shift from the earlier plan of launching services on a shorter section first and extending them in stages.Initially, CMRL had proposed to start operations on the Poonamallee Bypass–Porur Junction stretch by the end of January, with services extended to Vadapalani in February. However, officials said the revised approach would allow commuters to benefit from better connec..

Infrastructure Transport

08 Jan 2026

Power Mech Emerges L1 for Mumbai Monorail O&M Contract

Power Mech Projects has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract of the Mumbai Monorail project, officials said. The contract was floated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with a tenure of 1,825 days, or five years.MMRDA had invited bids for the O&M work of the Mumbai Monorail corridor from Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk to Chembur. Technical bids were opened on November 12, 2025, with four firms submitting bids for the contract. Following the technical evaluation conducted on January 1, 2026, two bidders were disqualif..

Infrastructure Transport

08 Jan 2026

E to E Transportation Clarifies SECR Contract Value at Rs 270.35 Mn

NSE Emerge-listed E to E Transportation Infrastructure has issued a clarification on the value of a railway signalling and telecommunication contract awarded by the South East Central Railway (SECR), Raipur Division, after identifying a typographical error in its earlier regulatory disclosure.In a filing dated January 4, 2026, the company said the correct value of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) is Rs 270.34 million, and not Rs 2.73 billion as previously stated in an announcement uploaded on the NSE Emerge portal earlier the same day. The company noted that the incorrect figure was the result o..